Saturday, April 14, 2012

AERC: The Cost of Awards Poll

It would appear from discussions on the AERC members forum that the endurance riding organization as we knew it is in trouble - increasing operating costs, decreasing membership.

A couple of interesting ideas are being discussed, one of which is year-end awards. I won my first-ever year-end award in 2011, a vest for 2nd place in the lightweight division my region for mileage and points on Steph's horse Jose. It's a lovely vest from Cabela's, personalized with my name and Jose's name, and the award, and the AERC logo embroidered on it.

For me the award was quite a thrill, as it brings to mind the many miles I spent on a cool horse doing the sport I love. But it also brought to mind the fact that there were approximately 360 of these mileage vests handed out - for 9 regions, 4 divisions in each region, ten placings in each division. And these awards are not the only one AERC gives out yearly. I don't know the amount spent on year-end awards, but it must be significant.

One person suggested following the Western States Trail Ride (Tevis) method of receiving a certificate for your accomplishment, and earning the right to purchase your award. This might put awards in a different light - good or bad. Receiving a first-award-ever must be thrilling for anybody. Endurance riders who regularly win awards every year might not be as thrilled with their 20th vest as much as their first one.

It would certainly save AERC money if this happened. But is it AERC's responsibility to pay for the awards they created and hand out every year? Would you pay for your own year-end award?

12 comments:

Anonymous
said...

It is easy to say that when I have no thought to ever actually qualifying for one - but have taken part in other activities where this was the case, and while the certificate is nice, that jacket or trophy or whatever is special and I don't mind paying for it. There are so many awards now that it seems to me that this IS one place to cut back. It isn't about preferences - I think it is about survival.

I think the awards are very appropriate--and by the time someone has expended the hours and $$ and blood, sweat and tears to earn one, they have more than paid for them and should not have to pay extra! Sorry, but even though I'm not apt to be in line for one any time soon, I don't begrudge a dime of the money that AERC spends on the vests.

I would be willing to give up my awards or pay extra for something that I want. However, I know how much riders like their awards and if they are riding enough and supporting the sport enough to earn a year end award,, then I wouldn't want to take that away from them. I think it should be an option.

AERC does have sponsors, and not all categories have ten recipients. And while yes it does run into $$ it is nice to utilize the sponsor idea since while riding we already paid several thousand dollars for the vest. :) It amazes me how ropers can get a new saddle or horse trailer so easily and we are lucky to get anything at all.

I've come close enough to being in the year end standings to make me think it might be a reality some day. I'd much rather be able to purchase an item I will use, than to receive gratis, an item that I can't use. RE money from sponsors - an organization of 5000 members is just not large enough for any sponsor to have an interest unless they ride themselves, or thier target market is exactly those 5000 people.

I have been a member since 1990 and this is the first year that I have won a regional award. It is very special to me. Why not give the first award, then just a certificate and the option to buy the jacket or vest after you have won the first one.

While I have no problem paying an extra $20 or $25 for an award I am extremely against having to pay for the entire award. I have spent alot of money to be able to qualify for that award already. For some of us money is extremely tight and this is a very crule thing to do to us. For those of you who are award haters or are wanting to pay for the entire award let the office know and they can just not order you one if you qualify or can take your donation.I think this is a really bad idea.

I like a suggestion made on the AERC Members group list to provide the first-time award (I add to any one person, not the first of that award to that person) and allow purchase thereafter. Also, for a group so small the number of awards seems excessive, so maybe a discussion on reducing the quantity of those not sponsored fully is appropriate.

I love the awards, plus, it is a great way to learn names of the riders. I am willing to pay, but not more than $50, as I would have already paid LOTS of ride fees. I wear mine proudly. It represents LOTS of hard work. Perhaps, AERC should offer jackets, vests, etc to members to purchase (non awards)...some of the award jackets are REALLY nice!

I've only gotten one award ever, a wt. division award. I don't wear it often, but I treasure receiving it. That said, I would be happy to pay for my awards, should I ever qualify for another. Any awards that are paid for by sponsors could be provided to winners for free, of course. But if an award is not sponsored, I'd like to see AERC give a nice certificate, and allow the winner to purchase an award. Sure, awards may be only 8th in terms of expenses, but every little bit helps. Nothing should be sacred. A penny saved is a penny earned.

I agree that the riders that get awards have already paid quite a lot into the sport and should not have to pay for an award. A thought would be to ask the people that will be getting an award if they actually want the award or if they want to donate the cost of the award to AERC and receive a just the certificate.

I've won awards very consistently for the last 8-9 years and some years several awards. While they are nice they no longer mean much to me. Just the knowledge that I've done well and have finished the year with a healthy equine is a far larger award. People you ride with know how well you've done if they look at the Regional and National placings. People who don't know you probably could care less.